Dr. Meg Gordon, of Blue Mountain Animal Clinic, smooches the lucky pig for the 2010 Kiss the Pig contest. Submitted photo

One lucky local veterinarian again will have the unique opportunity to kiss a pig at the Clallam County Fair, courtesy of the 4-H Leaders’ Council.

Starting this week, all participating veterinarians will have piggy banks in their offices to accept donations in their names. Several businesses in Sequim and Port Angeles will have display boards to allow voting for your favorite veterinarian.

The "winner" – the vet with the most money donated in his or her name – gets to kiss the pig in the swine/sheep arena at the Clallam County Fair at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Money raised in this contest provides year-end awards, scholarships to graduating seniors ($750 awarded last year), and help with costs of out-of-area 4-H teen events.

Each 4-H graduating senior who applies for a scholarship and completes the year receives a scholarship. More than 800 county youths are active in 4-H programs.

Pucker up

Sequim-area veterinarians include:

• Dr. Jennifer Tavares, Greywolf Veterinary Hospital, 1102 E. Washington St.

• Dr. Heather Short, Sequim Animal Hospital, 202 N. Seventh Ave.

• Dr. Sarah Jane Owens, Sequim Animal Hospital, 202 N. Seventh Ave.

• Dr. Susan Baillie, Sequim Animal Hospital, 202 N. Seventh Ave.

• Dr. Vickie Howell, Sequim Animal Hospital, 202 N. Seventh Ave.

• Dr. Melissa Smith, Country Care Vet Service, 51 Valley Center Place

• Dr. Erick Splawn, Happy Valley Veterinary Services

• Dr. Linda Allen, Pacific Northwest Veterinary Hospital, 289 W. Bell St.

• Dr. Toni Jensen, Pacific Northwest Veterinary Hospital, 289 W. Bell St.

Port Angeles-area veterinarians include:

• Dr. Carmen Czachor, Family Veterinary Clinic, 3217 E. Mahogany St.

• Dr. Sharon Jensen, Blue Mountain Animal Clinic, 2972 Old Olympic Highway

• Dr. Nicole Burton, Blue Mountain Animal Clinic, 2972 Old Olympic Highway

• Dr. Andi Thomson, Angeles Clinic for Animals, 160 Del Guzzi Dr.

• Dr. Alex Nowacki, Angeles Clinic for Animals, 160 Del Guzzi Dr.

• Dr. Christina Wagner, Angeles Clinic for Animals, 160 Del Guzzi Dr.

• Dr. Dwight Waknitz, Olympic Veterinary Clinic, 1417 E. Front St.

• Dr. Heather Kaplan, Olympic Veterinary Clinic, 1417 E. Front St.

• Dr. Sandra Smith, Northwest Wilderness Veterinary Services

Kiss the Pig display boards taking donations for all the veterinarians are at the Co-op Farm & Garden, 216 E. Washington St.; Sunny Farms, 261461 U.S. Highway 101; and Del’s Feed and Farm Supply, 990 E. Washington St. in Sequim; and Airport Garden Center, 2200 W. Edgewood Dr.; and outside the Extension office in the lobby of the old Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles.

Last year’s "winner" and 2011 contest spokesman, Dr. Meg Gordon, will be cheering on the new winner and giving advice in the challenging event of actually Kissing the Pig.

For more information about the contest, call Gayle Taylor at 452-2925.

Donations also are being accepted by mail. Make checks out to Clallam County 4-H Leaders’ Council. Give the name of the veterinarian receiving your vote.

Send check and information to: G.P. Taylor, 2103 W. Eighth St., Port Angeles, WA 98363-1623.

Previous Kiss the Pig winners

1st year – Dr. Bob Mowbray

2nd year – Dr. Sandra Smith

3rd year – Dr. Cheryl Adaska

4th year – Dr. Dennis Wilcox

5th year – Smith

6th year – Dr. Marna Hall

7th year – Smith

8th year – Dr. Brian Marts

9th year – Smith

10th year – Dr. Meg Gordon